Northern Irish potter Jordan Brown accepts he has been handed a “horrible” qualifying draw for this year’s World Championship.
The Antrim Ferrari could face Irish pals Fergal O’Brien or Aaron Hill in the penultimate round of qualifying.
Last season’s Welsh Open champion needs to win two matches to return to the sport’s spiritual Sheffield home for the first time since making his debut there two years ago.
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But if Cork young gun Hill wins his first-round match then Brown will do battle with the winner of Hill and Dublin veteran O’Brien for a shot at the Crucible.
“It’s a bit of a horrible draw for me if I’m honest,” revealed Brown, ahead of the qualifiers, which kicks off on Monday (April 4) at the English Institute of Sport.
“I practice with Fergal a lot and we’re good pals, the same with Aaron.
“But we’re there to do a job at the end of the day and I know what mine is and that’s to win.
“You’d much rather play people you aren’t close with. It will be tough, but I’ve got a job to do to try and reach the Crucible.”
And world No 25 Brown is full of confidence ahead of his qualifying tilt after rediscovering his scoring mojo at the recent Gibraltar Open.
“It was nice to get a bit of form going into the World Championship,” admitted the Antrim potter.
“I said beforehand I was going to take the pressure off in that tournament and let the arm go. Whatever it was worked and I found some things in my game.
“My scoring’s back which is pleasing. I managed to be consistent in playing well which gives you a boost.”
Meanwhile, Irish legend Ken Doherty needs three wins to make a first Crucible appearance since 2014.
And how special it would be for the Darlin’ of Dublin to return to the iconic venue 25 years on from when he lifted the prestigious trophy back in 1997.
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